How not to destroy your relationship during quarantine

For couples who hardly spent a lot of time together before, the coronavirus-quarantine has pushed them into figuring out how to get along with their partners as they move around the same rooms all day every day.

Spending all your time around someone you were only used to see in the morning and late in the evening can really prove to be a test especially now that everyone is under a great deal of stress. Case in point, in China where they have been under quarantine for much longer, Xi’an city filed record-high divorce applications during the month of March, mostly as a repercussion of COVID-19.

The abrupt change in how you used to relate and hang around your partner can easily deteriorate your relationship, if you do not step up and save your sanity, on time. Here are a few tips to help you stay on the right side of things

Understand that you are going to get annoyed

With tensions high, it is likely that your partner’s innocent humming in the morning could make you want to scream. You will find your partner annoying from time to time. Psychologist Deb Kossman explains that stress heightens our idiosyncrasies. Therefore, you need to be prepared that your partner’s simple actions could create an irk you have never felt before.

Consider communicating your concerns in a way that is inviting rather than attacking. A good way would be to approach your partner in a way that makes them feel visible by showing concern about a particular trait they are exhibiting such as restlessness or constantly tapping their feet.

Compromise and have empathy

You should try your best and help your partner find comfort during this challenging time. If you are feeling better about going grocery shopping rather than having them delivered and your partner is of the opposite opinion, don’t out up a fight about it. If you can afford grocery delivery, go for it even if you feel it is unnecessary, after all that is the surest way to ensure you maintain social distance. If they want to clean every item as soon as you get to the house after shopping, don’t judge them.

By being extra understanding, you will be able to find a common ground with your partner and be more supportive of their ideas and actions. In turn, you will be less frustrated and feel more like partners other than foes.

Differentiate ‘I’ from ‘we’

Being in quarantine does not mean that you have to watch every show on Netflix together. You need to find some space to do things that interest you as a person, maybe listen to music you enjoy or get down on a hobby, be it writing or painting, or finishing off that novel you already started reading.

According to psychologytoday.com, when you begin to feel like you are losing yourself in the relationship you are likely to have anxiety. Know that you are not being selfish by creating some personal space. Being able to be by yourself can be refreshing and can make you feel and be a better partner.